Patents by Inventor Seiji Hanafusa
Seiji Hanafusa has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 8567813Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle equipped with an airbag apparatus in which an increase in the number of component parts can be restrained. A motorcycle is a vehicle in which seat rails are included in a rear portion of a body frame with a rider seat having a front end portion upwardly inclined towards the front side of the vehicle that is mounted on the seat rails. An airbag module accommodating an airbag therein and fixed by an airbag mounting stay extending upwardly from the body frame and is disposed on the front side of the rider seat. A seat hook for holding the front end portion of the rider seat extends from the airbag module or from the airbag mounting stay.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Seiji Hanafusa
-
Patent number: 8550491Abstract: An airbag device for straddle type vehicles is provided with: an airbag module in which a holding box that stores an airbag functions as a case; and an airbag control unit that controls said airbag module. The airbag module is provided with the holding box that is disposed immediately in front of a rider's seat, a lid that closes the opening of the holding box, and a hinge that functions as a rotary fulcrum for the lid when the airbag inflates, and that is positioned on the rear side, with respect to the vehicle, of the lid. A linking mechanism for restricting the opening angle of the lid is provided between the lid and the holding box.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Kuroe, Seiji Hanafusa, Keishi Yokota, Kazutaka Sugimoto
-
Patent number: 8444175Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle, such as a motorcycle, equipped with an airbag module and an airbag control unit wherein the motorcycle is not increased in width. The motorcycle includes a body frame extending rearwardly from a head pipe with a rider's seat provided on the body frame and on which a rider or riders are to be seated. The airbag module is provided on the body frame and in which an airbag is accommodated. The airbag control unit is provided for controlling the deployment of the airbag. The airbag module is disposed on the front side of the rider seat with the airbag control unit being disposed between the head pipe and the airbag module.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seiji Hanafusa, Yoshiya Omuro
-
Patent number: 8424902Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle equipped with an airbag apparatus in which an increase in the number of component parts can be restrained. A motorcycle is a vehicle in which seat rails are included in a rear portion of a body frame with a rider seat having a front end portion upwardly inclined towards the front side of the vehicle that is mounted on the seat rails. An airbag module accommodating an airbag therein and fixed by an airbag mounting stay extending upwardly from the body frame and is disposed on the front side of the rider seat. A seat hook for holding the front end portion of the rider seat extends from the airbag module or from the airbag mounting stay.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Seiji Hanafusa
-
Publication number: 20120280475Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle equipped with an airbag apparatus in which an increase in the number of component parts can be restrained. A motorcycle is a vehicle in which seat rails are included in a rear portion of a body frame with a rider seat having a front end portion upwardly inclined towards the front side of the vehicle that is mounted on the seat rails. An airbag module accommodating an airbag therein and fixed by an airbag mounting stay extending upwardly from the body frame and is disposed on the front side of the rider seat. A seat hook for holding the front end portion of the rider seat extends from the airbag module or from the airbag mounting stay.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventor: Seiji HANAFUSA
-
Patent number: 8251268Abstract: A front carrier includes an outer frame pipe surrounding the periphery, and a cross pipe and a back-and-forth member which are provided inside the outer frame pipe. A front side portion of the outer frame pipe is lowered at a one-step to form a stepped bottom portion. The back-and-forth member is disposed to extend obliquely downwardly from the cross pipe toward the stepped bottom portion. In addition, the widthwise inside portion of the rear side portion is bent to be forward to form an end side portion, which is joined to the cross pipe to be flush with the back-and-forth member. Thus, a cargo support surface formed by the cross pipe, the back-and-forth member and the end side portion is surrounded by an outer frame portion higher at a one-step than the cargo support. Part of the outer frame portion is allowed to serve as a cargo stopper for the cargo.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2006Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seiji Hanafusa, Yuji Maki, Masahiro Inoue
-
Publication number: 20110309602Abstract: An airbag device for straddle type vehicles is provided with: an airbag module in which a holding box that stores an airbag functions as a case; and an airbag control unit that controls said airbag module. The airbag module is provided with the holding box that is disposed immediately in front of a rider's seat, a lid that closes the opening of the holding box, and a hinge that functions as a rotary fulcrum for the lid when the airbag inflates, and that is positioned on the rear side, with respect to the vehicle, of the lid. A linking mechanism for restricting the opening angle of the lid is provided between the lid and the holding box.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2010Publication date: December 22, 2011Inventors: Takeshi Kuroe, Seiji Hanafusa, Keishi Yokota, Kazutaka Sugimoto
-
Patent number: 8042636Abstract: A water-cooled engine mounted on a vehicle wherein a mass concentration keeps the center of mass at a low position. In a saddle-ride type four-wheel vehicle, a radiator and a fuel tank are supported on lower frames, and are arranged, side by side, so as to be distributed respectively on the right-hand side and on the left-hand side so as to overlap each other when viewed from a side. In addition, the fuel tank and the radiator are disposed at the rear of a front suspension arm and at the rear of an engine. As a result, the concentration of mass and the keeping of the mass at a lower position are achieved. Moreover, the fuel tank and the radiator are allowed to stretch outwards beyond the upper frames. Consequently, the fuel tank can have a larger capacity and a ventilation path that leads to the radiator can be secured.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2008Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seiji Hanafusa, Akihiro Yamashita, Takuya Yamada
-
Patent number: 7954835Abstract: A front wheel suspension structure for a saddle-type vehicle (all terrain vehicle) includes a double wishbone suspension system. The double wishbone suspension system includes a pair of right and left upper arms and a pair of right and left lower arms. The upper arm and the lower arm each include a front arm portion and a rear arm portion, respectively, and each of the upper arm and the lower arm is attached to a side of a body frame at two points. When viewed in a side view, the rear arm portion of the upper arm is located in front of the rear arm portion of the lower arm. A front shock absorber is arranged behind the rear arm portion of the upper arm.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2009Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koshi Nakamura, Akio Handa, Seiji Hanafusa, Akihiro Yamashita
-
Publication number: 20100270778Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle, such as a motorcycle, equipped with an airbag module and an airbag control unit wherein the motorcycle is not increased in width. The motorcycle includes a body frame extending rearwardly from a head pipe with a rider's seat provided on the body frame and on which a rider or riders are to be seated. The airbag module is provided on the body frame and in which an airbag is accommodated. The airbag control unit is provided for controlling the deployment of the airbag. The airbag module is disposed on the front side of the rider seat with the airbag control unit being disposed between the head pipe and the airbag module.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2010Publication date: October 28, 2010Inventors: Seiji HANAFUSA, Yoshiya Omuro
-
Publication number: 20100270777Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle equipped with an airbag apparatus in which an increase in the number of component parts can be restrained. A motorcycle is a vehicle in which seat rails are included in a rear portion of a body frame with a rider seat having a front end portion upwardly inclined towards the front side of the vehicle that is mounted on the seat rails. An airbag module accommodating an airbag therein and fixed by an airbag mounting stay extending upwardly from the body frame and is disposed on the front side of the rider seat. A seat hook for holding the front end portion of the rider seat extends from the airbag module or from the airbag mounting stay.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2010Publication date: October 28, 2010Inventor: Seiji HANAFUSA
-
Patent number: 7740100Abstract: A body cover being formed by joining together a plurality of cover members including a maintenance cover which is detachably disposed on the side of the power unit. A pedal which is actuated by an individual operating the vehicle wherein the overall body frame is covered without modifying the structure and arrangement of the pedal. A suspension system wherein a swing arm type or an independent suspension type may be used in the vehicle. A light structure for a tail light wherein attaching lighting components such as a light emitting section are attached to a substrate formed in part of a lid of a utility box attached to a rear part of a vehicle. The lighting components such as the substrate are directly assembled in the concave section, and a lens is attached to the concave section by welding.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2006Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Takahashi, Kenzo Shimizu, Seiji Hanafusa, Takao Yamamoto
-
Patent number: 7690730Abstract: A seat support structure for facilitating assembly of a frame support member. The seat support structure includes a seat support portion mounted on a seat rail of a vehicle, the seat support portion having an opening portion; a mount rubber having an engaging groove portion on an outer peripheral portion thereof, an insertion portion arranged closer to a distal end side than the engaging groove portion, and a through hole penetrating through the mount rubber. Upon mounting the seat, the insertion portion of the mount rubber is inserted into the opening portion of the seat support portion, the portion of the seat to be supported is inserted into the through hole, and the mount rubber is moved in the radial direction in an inside of the opening portion, and a portion of a groove wall of the engaging groove portion is brought into pressure contact with the opening portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2007Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhiro Yasuda, Hideaki Suzuki, Seiji Hanafusa, Masahiro Inoue
-
Publication number: 20090243248Abstract: A front wheel suspension structure for a saddle-type vehicle (all terrain vehicle) includes a double wishbone suspension system. The double wishbone suspension system includes a pair of right and left upper arms and a pair of right and left lower arms. The upper arm and the lower arm each include a front arm portion and a rear arm portion, respectively, and each of the upper arm and the lower arm is attached to a side of a body frame at two points. When viewed in a side view, the rear arm portion of the upper arm is located in front of the rear arm portion of the lower arm. A front shock absorber is arranged behind the rear arm portion of the upper arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2009Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koshi Nakamura, Akio Handa, Seiji Hanafusa, Akihiro Yamashita
-
Patent number: 7434822Abstract: A frame structure provided for a body frame that can be used in common to vehicles with different types of rear suspensions. The frame structure includes a sub-frame assembly for an independent suspension type rear suspension that can be mounted to a body frame by using pivot brackets for supporting a swing arm provided in the body frame, and also using an upper mount for supporting a rear cushion provided in the body frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2005Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Takahashi, Seiji Hanafusa
-
Publication number: 20080236918Abstract: A water-cooled engine mounted on a vehicle wherein a mass concentration keeps the center of mass at a low position. In a saddle-ride type four-wheel vehicle, a radiator and a fuel tank are supported on lower frames, and are arranged, side by side, so as to be distributed respectively on the right-hand side and on the left-hand side so as to overlap each other when viewed from a side. In addition, the fuel tank and the radiator are disposed at the rear of a front suspension arm and at the rear of an engine. As a result, the concentration of mass and the keeping of the mass at a lower position are achieved. Moreover, the fuel tank and the radiator are allowed to stretch outwards beyond the upper frames. Consequently, the fuel tank can have a larger capacity and a ventilation path that leads to the radiator can be secured.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Seiji Hanafusa, Akihiro Yamashita, Takuya Yamada
-
Patent number: 7426788Abstract: In a saddle-type vehicle having at least three wheels, a tilt angle sensor layout structure is provided which ensures that a tilt angle sensor is minimally influenced by a centrifugal force or vibration of a vehicle body while the vehicle is turned, and the tilt angle sensor is protected against flying stones and the like. The vehicle includes an engine, and a fuel injection system for supplying fuel from a fuel tank to the engine, with a steering mechanism including a steering shaft provided on the front side of the vehicle body. A plurality of frame members constituting the vehicle body frame supporting the steering mechanism are connected in the shape of a frame loop in vehicle side view, and the tilt angle sensor for detecting the tilt angle in the left-right direction of the vehicle body is attached to the loop-shaped portion of the vehicle body frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2006Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toru Hasegawa, Seiji Hanafusa
-
Patent number: 7370625Abstract: An engine accessory layout structure for a vehicle by which engine accessories are laid out near the engine without trouble. The structure includes a throttle valve disposed in the periphery of an engine, and an engine accessory laid out at an upper portion of an engine and a lower portion of a seat. A heat guard is provided which is disposed on the upper side of the engine so as to separate the engine and a fuel piping from each other. The engine accessory is mounted onto an upper portion of the heat guard. The heat guard also protects the throttle valve.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2006Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Seiji Hanafusa
-
Publication number: 20070257535Abstract: A seat support structure for facilitating assembly of a frame support member. The seat support structure includes a seat support portion mounted on a seat rail of a vehicle, the seat support portion having an opening portion; a mount rubber having an engaging groove portion on an outer peripheral portion thereof, an insertion portion arranged closer to a distal end side than the engaging groove portion, and a through hole penetrating through the mount rubber. Upon mounting the seat, the insertion portion of the mount rubber is inserted into the opening portion of the seat support portion, the portion of the seat to be supported is inserted into the through hole, and the mount rubber is moved in the radial direction in an inside of the opening portion, and a portion of a groove wall of the engaging groove portion is brought into pressure contact with the opening portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2007Publication date: November 8, 2007Inventors: Kazuhiro Yasuda, Hideaki Suzuki, Seiji Hanafusa, Masahiro Inoue
-
Publication number: 20070095324Abstract: To improve throttle response and productivity of an air cleaner of a vehicle. A vehicular air cleaner structure is provided, in which an air cleaner is mounted to a vehicle body frame and an intake duct for drawing air in the air cleaner and a connecting tube for providing communication between the air cleaner and the side of an engine are connected to the air cleaner. The intake duct and the connecting tube are connected to the air cleaner. A connection rubber capable of being flexed by a change in pressure in the air cleaner is disposed on a side wall as at least one of walls of the air cleaner.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2006Publication date: May 3, 2007Inventors: Shinji Takahashi, Shinji Kawatani, Seiji Hanafusa